Decimal load immediate instruction

ABSTRACT

An instruction generates a value for use in processing within a computing environment. The instruction obtains a sign control associated with the instruction, and shifts an input value of the instruction in a specified direction by a selected amount to provide a result. The result is placed in a first designated location in a register, and the sign, which is based on the sign control, is placed in a second designated location of the register. The result and the sign provide a signed value to be used in processing within the computing environment.

BACKGROUND

One or more aspects relate, in general, to processing within a computingenvironment, and in particular, to improving such processing.

Applications executing within a processor of a computing environmentcontrol the behavior of the processor. The applications are createdusing programming languages which are designed to communicateinstructions to the processor.

There are various types of programming languages, and each language mayuse one or more types of encodings to represent data. For example, COBOLand PL/I programming languages use binary coded decimal (BCD) to encodedecimal numbers. With BCD encodings, each decimal digit is representedby a fixed number of bits, such as 4 bits, in one example.

Decimal numbers may contain up to 31 digits, as well as a sign digit.This represents a 16-byte value in memory. Many computations areperformed using small constants. To load a constant into a register, itis loaded from memory. Because of this, instruction latency is incurred,memory bandwidth is used, and data sizes within binary executables areincreased.

SUMMARY

Shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages areprovided through the provision of a computer program product forfacilitating processing in a computing environment. The computer programproduct comprises a storage medium readable by a processing circuit andstoring instructions for execution by the processing circuit forperforming a method. The method includes, for instance, obtaining aninstruction for execution, the instruction to generate a value for usein processing within the computing environment, the instruction havingassociated therewith a sign control to be used to provide a sign of thevalue to be generated by the instruction. The instruction is executed,and the executing includes obtaining the sign control; shifting an inputvalue provided by the instruction in a specified direction by a selectedamount to provide a result; placing the result in a first designatedlocation in a register; and including the sign, based on the signcontrol, in a second designated location of the register, the result andthe sign providing a signed value to be used in processing within thecomputing environment.

By using the instruction to generate values, such as constants, valuesare generated without loading the values from memory. Thus, processingis facilitated and performance is improved within a computingenvironment. Instruction latency is reduced, less memory bandwidth isused and/or data sizes within binary executables are decreased.

In one embodiment, the obtaining the sign control includes obtaining thesign control from a field of the instruction, and wherein based on thesign control being a first value, the sign is positive, and based on thesign control being a second value, the sign is negative.

As a further embodiment, the executing includes obtaining the inputvalue from a field of the instruction, checking validity of the inputvalue, and performing the shifting, based on the checking indicating theinput value is valid.

Further, in one embodiment, the executing includes obtaining theselected amount from a field of the instruction.

In one example, the specified direction is left. Additionally, the firstdesignated location is a location of a magnitude of a signed packeddecimal format in the register.

Further, the register may be specified using at least one field of theinstruction. As an example, the at least one field includes a registerfield specifying a register number and an extension field specifying anextension value to be appended to the register number.

As one embodiment, the placing of the result further includes placingzeros in a third designated location of the register. The thirddesignated location includes, e.g., one or more leftmost positions ofthe register.

Methods and systems relating to one or more aspects are also describedand claimed herein. Further, services relating to one or more aspectsare also described and may be claimed herein.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesdescribed herein. Other embodiments and aspects are described in detailherein and are considered a part of the claimed aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more aspects are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimedas examples in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. Theforegoing and objects, features, and advantages of one or more aspectsare apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A depicts one example of a computing environment to incorporateand use one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 1B depicts further details of the processor of FIG. 1A, inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2A depicts another example of a computing environment toincorporate and use one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2B depicts further details of the memory of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A depicts one example of a Vector Load Immediate Decimalinstruction, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3B depicts one embodiment of controls of an immediate field of theVector Load Immediate Decimal instruction of FIG. 3A, in accordance withan aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts one example of a block diagram of execution of the VectorLoad Immediate Decimal instruction, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 5A-5B depict one example of processing associated with the VectorLoad Immediate Decimal instruction, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a cloud computing environment; and

FIG. 7 depicts one example of abstraction model layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more aspects relate to improving processing within a computingenvironment by providing a capability for generating values (e.g.,constants, such as signed packed decimals) without loading the valuesfrom memory. In one example, the capability includes an instruction(e.g., an architected machine instruction), referred to herein as aVector Load Immediate Decimal instruction, used to generate the values.The instruction includes, in one example, a sign control used to providea sign for a value generated by the instruction. The instructiongenerates values (e.g., constants, such as signed packed decimals)without loading the values from memory, thereby reducing instructionlatency and improving computer performance, reducing memory bandwidthand/or decreasing data sizes within binary executables.

One embodiment of a computing environment to incorporate and use one ormore aspects of the present invention is described with reference toFIG. 1A. In one example, the computing environment is based on thez/Architecture, offered by International Business Machines Corporation,Armonk, N.Y. One embodiment of the z/Architecture is described in“z/Architecture Principles of Operation,” IBM Publication No.SA22-7832-10, March 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Z/ARCHITECTURE is a registered trademark ofInternational Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., USA.

In another example, the computing environment is based on the PowerArchitecture, offered by International Business Machines Corporation,Armonk, N.Y. One embodiment of the Power Architecture is described in“Power ISA™ Version 2.07B,” International Business Machines Corporation,Apr. 9, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. POWER ARCHITECTURE is a registered trademark of InternationalBusiness Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., USA.

The computing environment may also be based on other architectures,including, but not limited to, the Intel x86 architectures. Otherexamples also exist.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a computing environment 100 includes, for instance,a node 10 having, e.g., a computer system/server 12, which isoperational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer (PC) systems, server computer systems,thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in many computingenvironments, including but not limited to, distributed cloud computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloudcomputing environment, program modules may be located in both local andremote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1A, computer system/server 12 is shown in the form of ageneral-purpose computing device. The components of computersystem/server 12 may include, but are not limited to, one or moreprocessors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18 thatcouples various system components including system memory 28 toprocessor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

In one example, processor 16 includes a plurality of functionalcomponents used to execute instructions. As depicted in FIG. 1B, thesefunctional components include, for instance, an instruction fetchcomponent 120 to fetch instructions to be executed; an instructiondecode unit 122 to decode the fetched instructions and to obtainoperands of the decoded instructions; an instruction execute component124 to execute the decoded instructions; a memory access component 126to access memory for instruction execution, if necessary; and a writeback component 130 to provide the results of the executed instructions.One or more of these components may, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention, be used to generate values (e.g., constants) 136, asdescribed further below.

Processor 16 also includes, in one embodiment, one or more registers 140to be used by one or more of the functional components.

Another embodiment of a computing environment to incorporate and use oneor more aspects is described with reference to FIG. 2A. In this example,a computing environment 200 includes, for instance, a native centralprocessing unit (CPU) 202, a memory 204, and one or more input/outputdevices and/or interfaces 206 coupled to one another via, for example,one or more buses 208 and/or other connections. As examples, computingenvironment 200 may include a PowerPC processor or a pSeries serveroffered by International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.; anHP Superdome with Intel Itanium II processors offered by Hewlett PackardCo., Palo Alto, Calif.; and/or other machines based on architecturesoffered by International Business Machines Corporation, Hewlett Packard,Intel, Oracle, or others.

Native central processing unit 202 includes one or more native registers210, such as one or more general purpose registers and/or one or morespecial purpose registers used during processing within the environment.These registers include information that represent the state of theenvironment at any particular point in time.

Moreover, native central processing unit 202 executes instructions andcode that are stored in memory 204. In one particular example, thecentral processing unit executes emulator code 212 stored in memory 204.This code enables the computing environment configured in onearchitecture to emulate another architecture. For instance, emulatorcode 212 allows machines based on architectures other than thez/Architecture, such as PowerPC processors, pSeries servers, HPSuperdome servers or others, to emulate the z/Architecture and toexecute software and instructions developed based on the z/Architecture.

Further details relating to emulator code 212 are described withreference to FIG. 2B. Guest instructions 250 stored in memory 204comprise software instructions (e.g., correlating to machineinstructions) that were developed to be executed in an architectureother than that of native CPU 202. For example, guest instructions 250may have been designed to execute on a z/Architecture processor, butinstead, are being emulated on native CPU 202, which may be, forexample, an Intel Itanium II processor. In one example, emulator code212 includes an instruction fetching routine 252 to obtain one or moreguest instructions 250 from memory 204, and to optionally provide localbuffering for the instructions obtained. It also includes an instructiontranslation routine 254 to determine the type of guest instruction thathas been obtained and to translate the guest instruction into one ormore corresponding native instructions 256. This translation includes,for instance, identifying the function to be performed by the guestinstruction and choosing the native instruction(s) to perform thatfunction.

Further, emulator 212 includes an emulation control routine 260 to causethe native instructions to be executed. Emulation control routine 260may cause native CPU 202 to execute a routine of native instructionsthat emulate one or more previously obtained guest instructions and, atthe conclusion of such execution, return control to the instructionfetch routine to emulate the obtaining of the next guest instruction ora group of guest instructions. Execution of the native instructions 256may include loading data into a register from memory 204; storing databack to memory from a register; or performing some type of arithmetic orlogic operation, as determined by the translation routine.

Each routine is, for instance, implemented in software, which is storedin memory and executed by native central processing unit 202. In otherexamples, one or more of the routines or operations are implemented infirmware, hardware, software or some combination thereof. The registersof the emulated processor may be emulated using registers 210 of thenative CPU or by using locations in memory 204. In embodiments, guestinstructions 250, native instructions 256 and emulator code 212 mayreside in the same memory or may be disbursed among different memorydevices.

As used herein, firmware includes, e.g., the microcode, millicode and/ormacrocode of the processor. It includes, for instance, thehardware-level instructions and/or data structures used inimplementation of higher level machine code. In one embodiment, itincludes, for instance, proprietary code that is typically delivered asmicrocode that includes trusted software or microcode specific to theunderlying hardware and controls operating system access to the systemhardware.

A guest instruction 250 that is obtained, translated and executed is,for instance, a Vector Load Immediate Decimal instruction describedherein. The instruction, which is of one architecture (e.g., thez/Architecture), is fetched from memory, translated and represented as asequence of native instructions 256 of another architecture (e.g.,PowerPC, pSeries, Intel, etc.). These native instructions are thenexecuted.

Details relating to one embodiment of a Vector Load Immediate Decimalinstruction, including fields of the instruction and execution by aprocessor (either in a native or emulated system) are described herein.In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the Vector LoadImmediate Decimal instruction is used to generate values (e.g.,constants) absent loading the values from memory. This improves computerperformance by reducing instruction latency by eliminating memoryaccesses to obtain the constants, reduces use of memory bandwidth, anddecreases the data sizes within binary executables. Thus, aspects of theinvention are inextricably tied to computer technology, and to theimprovement of computer processing.

In one embodiment, the Vector Load Immediate Decimal instruction is partof a vector facility, which provides, for instance, fixed sized vectorsranging from one to sixteen elements. Each vector includes data which isoperated on by vector instructions defined in the facility. In oneembodiment, if a vector is made up of multiple elements, then eachelement is processed in parallel with the other elements. Instructioncompletion does not occur until processing of all the elements iscomplete. In other embodiments, the elements are processed partially inparallel and/or sequentially.

Vector instructions can be implemented as part of various architectures,including, but not limited to, the z/Architecture, the PowerArchitecture, x86, IA-32, IA-64, etc. Although embodiments describedherein are for the z/Architecture, the vector instruction describedherein and one or more other aspects may be based on many otherarchitectures. The z/Architecture is only one example.

In one embodiment in which the vector facility is implemented as part ofthe z/Architecture, to use the vector registers and instructions, avector enablement control and a register control in a specified controlregister (e.g., control register 0) are set to, for instance, one. Ifthe vector facility is installed and a vector instruction is executedwithout the enablement controls set, a data exception is recognized. Ifthe vector facility is not installed and a vector instruction isexecuted, an operation exception is recognized.

In one embodiment, there are 32 vector registers and other types ofregisters can map to a quadrant of the vector registers. For instance, aregister file may include 32 vector registers and each register is 128bits in length. Sixteen floating point registers, which are 64 bits inlength, can overlay the vector registers. Thus, as an example, whenfloating point register 2 is modified, then vector register 2 is alsomodified. Other mappings for other types of registers are also possible.

Vector data appears in storage, for instance, in the same left-to-rightsequence as other data formats. Bits of a data format that are numbered0-7 constitute the byte in the leftmost (lowest-numbered) byte locationin storage, bits 8-15 form the byte in the next sequential location, andso on. In a further example, the vector data may appear in storage inanother sequence, such as right-to-left.

One example of a Vector Load Immediate Decimal instruction is describedwith reference to FIGS. 3A-3B. As shown, the instruction has a pluralityof fields, and a field may have a subscript number associated therewith.The subscript number associated with a field of the instruction denotesthe operand to which the field applies. For instance, the subscriptnumber 1 associated with vector register V₁ denotes that the register inV₁ includes the first operand, and so forth. A register operand is oneregister in length, which is, for instance, 128 bits.

Referring to FIG. 3A, in one embodiment, a Vector Load Immediate Decimalinstruction 300 includes opcode fields 302 a, 302 b indicating a VectorLoad Immediate Decimal operation; a vector register field 304 used todesignate a vector register (V₁); a first immediate field (I₂) 306; asecond immediate field (I₃) 308; and a register extension bit (RXB)field 310, each of which is described below. In one embodiment, thefields are separate and independent from one another; however, in otherembodiments, more than one field may be combined. Further informationregarding these fields is described below.

Vector register field 304 is used to indicate a vector register that isto store the first operand, the first operand being a value, such as aconstant in a signed packed decimal format. In one example, vectorregister field 304 is used with RXB field 310 to designate the vectorregister.

For instance, RXB field 310 includes the most significant bit for avector register designated operand. Bits for register designations notspecified by the instruction are to be reserved and set to zero. Themost significant bit is concatenated, for instance, to the left of thefour-bit register designation of the vector register field to create afive-bit vector register designation.

In one example, the RXB field includes four bits (e.g., bits 0-3), andthe bits are defined, as follows:

-   -   0—Most significant bit for the first vector register designation        (e.g., in bits 8-11) of the instruction.    -   1—Most significant bit for the second vector register        designation (e.g., in bits 12-15) of the instruction, if any.    -   2—Most significant bit for the third vector register designation        (e.g., in bits 16-19) of the instruction, if any.    -   3—Most significant bit for the fourth vector register        designation (e.g., in bits 32-35) of the instruction, if any.

Each bit is set to zero or one by, for instance, the assembler dependingon the register number. For instance, for registers 0-15, the bit is setto 0; for registers 16-31, the bit is set to 1, etc.

In one embodiment, each RXB bit is an extension bit for a particularlocation in an instruction that includes one or more vector registers.For instance, bit 0 of RXB is an extension bit for location 8-11, whichis assigned to, e.g., V₁ and so forth. In particular, for vectorregisters, the register containing the operand is specified using, forinstance, a four-bit field of the register field with the addition ofits corresponding register extension bit (RXB) as the most significantbit. For instance, if the four bit field is 0110 and the extension bitis 0, then the five bit field 00110 indicates register number 6. In afurther embodiment, the RXB field includes additional bits, and morethan one bit is used as an extension for each vector or location.

I₂ field 306 includes the second operand, having, for instance, a numberof decimal digits (e.g., 4). Additionally, I₃ field 308 includes a thirdoperand that includes a plurality of controls. For instance, I₃ field308 includes the following, as depicted in FIG. 3B:

-   -   Sign Control (SC) 320: When bit 0 of I₃ field 308 is zero, the        result is positive with a sign code of 1100. When bit 0 of 13        field 308 is one, the result is negative with a sign code of        1101.    -   Shift Amount (SHAMT) 330: Bits 1-3 of I₃ field 308 specify a        three bit unsigned binary number specifying the number of digits        to shift the second operand in a specified direction (e.g.,        left).

Although various fields and registers are described, one or more aspectsof the present invention may use other, additional or less fields orregisters, or other sizes of fields or registers, etc. Many variationsare possible. For instance, implied registers may be used instead ofexplicitly specified registers or fields of the instruction. Further,registers other than vector registers may be used. Again, othervariations are also possible.

In operation of the instruction, the four decimal digits (e.g., binarycoded decimal (BCD) digits) of the second operand, shifted left by thespecified number of digits, and concatenated on the right with thespecified sign, form a signed-packed-decimal format number placed at thefirst operand location.

In one example, in the signed-packed-decimal format, each byte containstwo decimal digits (D), except for the rightmost byte, which contains asign (S) to the right of a decimal digit. Decimal arithmetic isperformed with operands and generates results in thesigned-packed-decimal format.

The signed-packed-decimal operands and results of decimal-arithmeticinstructions may be up to, e.g., 16 bytes (31 digits and sign). Theediting instructions can fetch as many as 256 decimal digits from one ormore decimal numbers of variable length, each in thesigned-packed-decimal format.

Further details regarding operation of the instruction are describedwith reference to FIG. 4. In one example, the logic of FIG. 4 isperformed by a processor.

Referring to FIG. 4, initially, the four decimal digits (e.g., BCDdigits) of the second operand, referred to herein as an input value, areobtained, STEP 400. In one example, the digits of the second operand arechecked for validity, INQUIRY 402. If one or more of the digits isinvalid, then processing is complete, and an error may be indicated, inone example. However, if the digits of the second operand are valid,then processing continues with obtaining shift amount 330 and signcontrol 320 provided by the third operand of the instruction (I₃ 308),STEP 404. The four digit second operand is shifted in a specifieddirection (e.g., left) by the number of digit positions specified byshift amount (SHAMT) control 330 specified in I₃ 308 to obtain a result,STEP 406. Zeros are supplied for vacated digit positions.

In a further embodiment, the shift may be to the right and/or thedirection of the shift may be selectable by a control of theinstruction. Other variations are possible.

The result (e.g., the shifted value) is placed in the first operand at afirst designated location, STEP 408. For example, the result is placedin the magnitude of the signed packed decimal format of the firstoperand. Additionally, zeros are placed in selected remaining locationsof the first operand, such as the remaining leftmost digits, STEP 410.Further, a sign code of the result is placed in a second designatedlocation of the first operand, STEP 412. As an example, the sign code ofthe result is determined by sign control 320 of the I₃ field and isplaced in the first operand at the location on the right. Thus, thefirst operand includes the four decimal digits of the second operandshifted left by the specified number of digits and with a signconcatenated on the right.

As described herein, an instruction is provided which takes a number ofBCD digits (e.g., 4) and shifts them to create up to a 31-digit number.The sign digit is controlled by a single bit indicating positive ornegative. This allows for a wide range of constants (e.g., in a signedpacked decimal format) to be created without requiring loading them frommemory. Since the fixed point in BCD numbers can be at any point, theconstant is shifted to the proper location. The resulting signed value(e.g., constant) may be used in processing within a computingenvironment including in computations used for many applications.

Further details relating to executing an instruction to generate a valueto be used in processing within a computing environment are describedwith reference to FIGS. 5A-5B.

Referring to FIG. 5A, initially, an instruction is obtained forexecution, STEP 500. The instruction is to generate a value (e.g., aconstant in a signed packed decimal format) for use in processing withinthe computing environment, and it has associated therewith a signcontrol to be used to provide a sign of the value to be generated by theinstruction. The instruction is executed, STEP 502. The executingincludes, e.g., obtaining the sign control, STEP 504, and shifting aninput value provided by the instruction in a specified direction (e.g.,left) by a selected amount to provide a result, STEP 506. Further, theexecuting includes placing the result in a first designated location ina register, STEP 508, and including the sign, based on the sign control,in a second designated location of the register, the result and the signproviding a signed value to be used in processing within the computingenvironment, STEP 510.

As one example, the obtaining the sign control includes obtaining thesign control from a field of the instruction, STEP 512, and whereinbased on the sign control being a first value, the sign is positive, andbased on the sign control being a second value, the sign is negative.

In one embodiment, the executing further includes obtaining the inputvalue from a field of the instruction, STEP 514, checking validity ofthe input value, STEP 516, and performing the shifting, based on thechecking indicating the input value is valid, STEP 518. In yet a furtherembodiment, the executing further includes obtaining the selected amountfrom a field of the instruction, STEP 520.

As examples, the first designated location is a location of a magnitudeof a signed packed decimal format in the register 530 (FIG. 5B); theregister is specified using at least one field of the instruction 532;and the at least one field includes a register field specifying aregister number and an extension field specifying an extension value tobe appended to the register number 534.

In one embodiment, the placing of the result further includes placingzeros in a third designated location of the register; the thirddesignated location includes one or more leftmost positions of theregister, STEP 536.

Described herein is a facility for using, e.g., an architectedinstruction to generate values (e.g., constants) without loading thevalues from memory, in order to improve computer processing andperformance. Although various examples are provided, variations arepossible without departing from a spirit of the claimed aspects.

One or more aspects may relate to cloud computing.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). Theconsumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructureincluding network, servers, operating systems, storage, or evenindividual application capabilities, with the possible exception oflimited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forloadbalancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes. One such node is node 10 depicted inFIG. 1A.

Computing node 10 is only one example of a suitable cloud computing nodeand is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of embodiments of the invention described herein.Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable of being implementedand/or performing any of the functionality set forth hereinabove.

Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecomputing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used by cloudconsumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA) orcellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 6 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 7, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 6) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 7 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and instruction processing 96.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

In addition to the above, one or more aspects may be provided, offered,deployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a service provider who offersmanagement of customer environments. For instance, the service providercan create, maintain, support, etc. computer code and/or a computerinfrastructure that performs one or more aspects for one or morecustomers. In return, the service provider may receive payment from thecustomer under a subscription and/or fee agreement, as examples.Additionally or alternatively, the service provider may receive paymentfrom the sale of advertising content to one or more third parties.

In one aspect, an application may be deployed for performing one or moreembodiments. As one example, the deploying of an application comprisesproviding computer infrastructure operable to perform one or moreembodiments.

As a further aspect, a computing infrastructure may be deployedcomprising integrating computer readable code into a computing system,in which the code in combination with the computing system is capable ofperforming one or more embodiments.

As yet a further aspect, a process for integrating computinginfrastructure comprising integrating computer readable code into acomputer system may be provided. The computer system comprises acomputer readable medium, in which the computer medium comprises one ormore embodiments. The code in combination with the computer system iscapable of performing one or more embodiments.

Although various embodiments are described above, these are onlyexamples. For example, computing environments of other architectures canbe used to incorporate and use one or more embodiments. Further,different instructions, instruction formats, instruction fields and/orinstruction values may be used. Many variations are possible.

Further, other types of computing environments can benefit and be used.As an example, a data processing system suitable for storing and/orexecuting program code is usable that includes at least two processorscoupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus.The memory elements include, for instance, local memory employed duringactual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memorywhich provide temporary storage of at least some program code in orderto reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storageduring execution.

Input/Output or I/O devices (including, but not limited to, keyboards,displays, pointing devices, DASD, tape, CDs, DVDs, thumb drives andother memory media, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directlyor through intervening I/O controllers. Network adapters may also becoupled to the system to enable the data processing system to becomecoupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storagedevices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cablemodems, and Ethernet cards are just a few of the available types ofnetwork adapters.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”,when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, areintended to include any structure, material, or act for performing thefunction in combination with other claimed elements as specificallyclaimed. The description of one or more embodiments has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain variousaspects and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer program product for facilitatingprocessing within a computing environment, the computer program productcomprising: a computer readable storage medium readable by a processingcircuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuitfor performing a method comprising: obtaining an instruction forexecution, the instruction to generate a value without obtaining thevalue from memory, the value for use in processing within the computingenvironment, the instruction having associated therewith a sign controlto be used to provide a sign of the value to be generated by theinstruction; executing the instruction, the executing comprising:obtaining the sign control; shifting an input value, provided by theinstruction absent loading from memory, in a specified direction by aselected amount to provide a result; placing the result in a firstdesignated location in a register; and including the sign, based on thesign control, in a second designated location of the register, theresult and the sign providing a signed value to be used in processingwithin the computing environment, the signed value being generatedabsent loading from memory, wherein use of memory bandwidth of thecomputing environment is reduced.
 2. The computer program product ofclaim 1, wherein the obtaining the sign control comprises obtaining thesign control from a field of the instruction, and wherein based on thesign control being a first value, the sign is positive, and based on thesign control being a second value, the sign is negative.
 3. The computerprogram product of claim 1, wherein the executing further comprises:obtaining the input value from an immediate field of the instruction;checking validity of the input value; and performing the shifting, basedon the checking indicating the input value is valid.
 4. The computerprogram product of claim 1, wherein the specified direction is left. 5.The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the executing furthercomprises obtaining the selected amount from an immediate field of theinstruction.
 6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein thefirst designated location is a location of a magnitude of a signedpacked decimal format in the register.
 7. The computer program productof claim 1, wherein the register is specified using at least one fieldof the instruction.
 8. The computer program product of claim 7, whereinthe at least one field comprises a register field specifying a registernumber and an extension field specifying an extension value to beappended to the register number.
 9. The computer program product ofclaim 1, wherein the placing of the result further comprises placingzeros in a third designated location of the register.
 10. The computerprogram product of claim 9, wherein the third designated locationincludes one or more leftmost positions of the register.
 11. Thecomputer program product of claim 1, wherein the input value and thesign control are provided by one or more immediate fields of theinstruction.
 12. A computer system for facilitating processing within acomputing environment, the computer system comprising: a memory; and aprocessor in communication with the memory, wherein the computer systemis configured to perform the following comprising: obtaining aninstruction for execution, the instruction to generate a value withoutobtaining the value from memory, the value for use in processing withinthe computing environment, the instruction having associated therewith asign control to be used to provide a sign of the value to be generatedby the instruction; executing the instruction, the executing comprising:obtaining the sign control; shifting an input value, provided by theinstruction absent loading from memory, in a specified direction by aselected amount to provide a result; placing the result in a firstdesignated location in a register; and including the sign, based on thesign control, in a second designated location of the register, theresult and the sign providing a signed value to be used in processingwithin the computing environment, the signed value being generatedabsent loading from memory, wherein use of memory bandwidth of thecomputing environment is reduced.
 13. The computer system of claim 12,wherein the obtaining the sign control comprises obtaining the signcontrol from a field of the instruction, wherein based on the signcontrol being a first value, the sign is positive, and based on the signcontrol being a second value, the sign is negative; and wherein theregister is specified using at least one field of the instruction. 14.The computer system of claim 12, wherein the executing furthercomprises: obtaining the input value from an immediate field of theinstruction; checking validity of the input value; and performing theshifting, based on the checking indicating the input value is valid. 15.The computer system of claim 12, wherein the first designated locationis a location of a magnitude of a signed packed decimal format in theregister.
 16. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the placing ofthe result further comprises placing zeros in a third designatedlocation of the register.
 17. The computer system of claim 16, whereinthe third designated location includes one or more leftmost positions ofthe register.
 18. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the specifieddirection is left.
 19. The computer system of claim 12, wherein theexecuting further comprises obtaining the selected amount from animmediate field of the instruction.
 20. The computer system of claim 12,wherein the input value and the sign control are provided by one or moreimmediate fields of the instruction.